Carton or package sealing machine



June 8, 1937. H. w. DYMENT CARTON OR PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 8, 1937. H. w. DYMENT CARTON 0R PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet ,2

June 8, 1937. H. w. DYMENT CARTON OR PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1955 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lru 4 Sheets-s 4 June 8, 1937. H. w. DYMENT CARTON OR PACKAE SEALING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1935 Patented June 8, 1937 spears? CARTON R PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE 7 Harry Dyment, Cleveland, Ohio 7 Application July 22, 1935, Serial No. 32,680

maintain the receptacle in closed condition for the shipment of the same with its contents. Cartons of the type intended to be'handled by the machine of this invention are usually made out of corrugated cardboard and com-prisea bottom, ends with end top flaps, and sides with side top flaps, which are-folded over the end top flaps so that the edges of the side top flaps are adjacent. The adhesive tape, usually paper, is applied to cartons or packaging receptacles of the class stated by hand ordinarily, beingsecured to the carton so as to overlie adjacent edges of the side top flaps, extending downwardly in adhesive connection with the outer faces of the--ends,-and thence portions of the tape are folded underneath the carton and are caused to adhere to the bottom thereof.- Under these conditions the adhesive tape extends along the longitudinal central portion of the carton above the side top flap edges and downwardly around the ends some distance along the bottom, affording a sealing member which maintains the receptacle tightly closed and in proper condition for mailing or shipment or handling in any similar manner.

Simply expressed, the machine of this invention comprises various mechanical instrumentalities adapted to apply the adhesive tape in the manner above described without the necessity of manual handling or application of the tape in any way. It is only required that the cartons or receptacles in their folded condition, ready for the application of the adhesive member, shall be fed to the machine at one end and thereafter the mechanical devices of the machine will cause ances controlling the movement of the adhesive tape, a peculiar type of cutting device or mechanism for severing the tape at the proper time, associated devices for causing the free portions of the tape when severed to be automatically and able guide means for directing the movement of the. cartons through the machine, and certain adjusting appliances for the pressure shoes, the lattertwo features dealing with the problem of handling different sizes of cartons by the machine. v.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is'shown in the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in whiche v V Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embo'dyingthe invention. v

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof; certain parts being omitted. V

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine asshown in Figures land 2, certain parts being omitted.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the moistening trough or fountain; the brushes therein,'and-the water supply receptacle in place upon one end of said fountain;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional viewthrough-the I water trough or fountain, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 and showing the arrangement of the brushes.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view Figure 'Tis a fragmentary perspectivevlew of c the mounting means for one of the pressure'shoes. Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through that portion of the machine at which the cutting mechanism is located Figure 9 is a top plan view of the of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view portion of the feed chain. l

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspectiveview mechanism of the showing one of the feed lugs or abutments car- @s' ried by one of the feed chains. c

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the cutting mechanism,,including the support for the lifter shoe for the cutter bar. I Figure 13 is a. plan view showing more particularly those parts which cooperate to lift the applicator brush by which the severed ends of the tape are caused to be adhesively applied to the bottom portion of the adjacent cartons or boxes going through the machine. v

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown more particularly in Figure 13, parts being shown in section.

Figure 15 is a detail sectional View taken on the line !5-l5 of Figure 13, showing the abutment arm in the path of the lugs or abutments on one of the feed chains and above the channel guide in which the feed chain operates.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a package to be sealed in the machine of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and especially Figures 1, 2, and 3, a machine of the preferred form of my invention will preferably comprise a main framev A having the end legs or members I, which may or may not be supported by rollers 2 depending on whether the machine is desired to be readily portable or not. Braces 3 extend between the main frame A and the end members I, and arranged to travel lengthwise of the frame A are the endless feed chains 4 which carry feed lugs or abutments 5 at intervals in the length thereof. Preferably these abutments 5 will be spaced apart approximately a distance equivalent to about twice the length of a carton or box which is to be sealed by means of the machine in operation. There are two feed chains 4, seen best in Figure 2, and said chains are preferably sprocket chains passing about the upper sprocket gears 6 and the lower sprocket gears I, see Figures 1 and 3.

For supporting the upper bights of the chains 4 in a plane corresponding with that of the upper portion of the frame A there are provided channels or tracks 8 such as shown in Figure 15 in cross sectional view, and the chains slide freely longitudinally of the machine as they progress over the frame A from end to end of the machine in their operating movement, thence passing downwardly and upwardly over the sprocket l as they travel away from the surface and back to the surface of the frame.

The feed end of the machine is that at which is located an adjustable hopper which comprises a sort of skeleton construction, including at each end thereof, and near opposite sides of the frame A, the horizontal bars 9 having the depending vertical bars l0, said horizontal bars 9 being slidably carried upon a cross bar ll so that the parts 9 and I!) may be moved toward and from one another to adjust the area of the space between each set of said parts 9 and ID, the latter virtually forming the side ends of the said skeleton hopper construction. The provision of the bars 9 and I ll of the hopper means simply affords suitable devices for confining a stack of cartons or receptacles l2 piled one on top of each other.

In keeping the machine supplied with the cartons I 2 to be sealed it is only necessary for the operator to see that a pile of superposed cartons is maintained in the hopper so that at least one carton, the lowermost one, is always ready to be engaged by the feed lugs of the feed chains and carried forwardly to the tape moistening, applying, cutting, and pressing parts of the various mechanisms performing these functions.

At what may be termed the outflow end of the hopper, which is the nearest end as seen in Figure 3, is located a vertically adjustable stop plate l3 movable upwardly and downwardly by means of a screw l4 having the handle I 5. The lower edge of the stop member or plate l3 has a horizontal flange l3a acting as a thickness guide, and said plate l3 prevents the forward movement of any of the cartons l2 except the lower-most one engaged by predetermined feed lugs 5. Further referring to the machine in the actual progression of its operations, the carton l2, which is engaged by certain feed lugs 5 and carried forwardly by the feed chains 4, passes onwardly from the hopper means aforesaid beneath a guide plate l6 supported by a frame I! and likewise adjustable vertically through the provision of an adjusting screw l8 and its handle l9, said screw being attached to the upper portion of the frame ll, as seen in Figure 3. Above the guide plate [6 is located the roll 20 of adhesive tape and this tape is preferably an ordinary paper tape gummed on one side and quite commonly used for sealing cartons today. Cooperating with the tape roll 20 is an overrun preventing device including the support 2| and the friction shoe 22, the latter resting on the roll 20 and being slightly pressed in frictional contact with the roll by means of a light spring 23. The tape of the roll 20 passes from the roll beneath'a guide bar 24 and thence over the brushes 25 which are located in the water fountain or trough 26, see Figure 4.

The fountain or trough is of somewhat L- shaped construction and extends crosswise of the machine in reference to its largest dimension, being provided, however with a rearward extension 25a adapted to support, in the manner shown in Figure 6, the. water receptacle 21, the open end of which when inverted is seated upon a suitable seat 28 including a gasket, said seat being carried by the part 26a of the trough 26. 9

The gasket 28 affords a seal between the water supply receptacle 2'! and the trough, and the receptacle 21 is preferably held in place by a supporting loop or band 29 carried by the horizontal arm 30 secured in a substantial manner to a portion of the frame of the machine. A bottle-type receptacle 2'! for the moistening Water in the trough 26 is employed so that the operator may readily see when the receptacle is nearly empty and thus be able to replenish the water by renewing a receptacle 2? containing a fresh supply whenever the previously used receptacle is about empty. The brushes 25 receive their moistening fluid by capillarity and said brushes may be made of either brush material or wicks, this being immaterial to the invention.

The paper adhesive tape of the roll 29 is designated 20a, and, after passing over the brushes 25 by which the under adhesive side of the tape is moistened, said tape passes through a guide loop of a guide arm 3| which is carried by the vertical support 32 of the pressure roller 33, disposed above the tape and adapted as shown in Figure 3 to press the moistened side of the tape downwardly in close contact with the adjacent edge portions of the top flaps of the carton which are to be sealed together and sealed to the end portions of the bottom of said carton, see Figure 16.

The pressure roller 33 is held at a suitable vertical adjustment by means of a set or thumb nut 34 screwed upon a threaded stem passing through a vertical slot in the member 32, the slot permitting vertical adjustment of the parts 3| and 33 as previously described. After the tape 20a passes beneath the pressure roller 33 by which it is firmly pressed in adhesive engagement with the top flap of the carton, the said tape moves forwardly under a pressure plate 35 designed to cause the tape to be pressed tightly against the portions of the carton with which it is engaged to establish the firm adhesive connection therewith as desired. The pressure plate 35, which acts also as a guide plate for the movement of the carton on the feed chains, is adapted for vertical eios siatv adjtisfti'nlent by 'nieansof the use of astandard lsfi sgeorired"tofa portion 3 6f the frameby means "fof 'tl'i'e adjiistihjg'nut iir'flsirnilanto the min 34 i y described.

the "tape "Eta has been a'pplied to the de or topfla-ps of theearton-in the manner d, t e inove'nierit of the t-apebrings it to i the netting 'rnechanisni which ill nowbe 55a lten 'g inchanisn fincludes a cutter: barframe, s'e gure E12, "designated isq, said cutter frame v g-p'ivoted at itso-uter'end as shown at ill to fsuifiablefsupporting;lineans ont'he main frar'ne A. Tile cutterifraine "-BQat its fiee or inner end ca'r'ries -a vertical cutter bar 4!, inthelower end fof F ichisf'aslotdisposedtransversely of the chine and receiving the cutting blade "42 therei n. The blade 42 is "disposed transversely "to theline' of movement of the tape a, is slightly 20 i'liongerftlian'tl'ie width of'the' tapejand is capable :fof upand down movement with the cutter frame "38," the downward movement causing severing of the'pfortion"of the tapeb'etween the two cartons B "an -c; as seen in FigureBand Figure 8.

" r I-Iaving in mind the previous description of the intended operation of'tlie machine, it is notable :that fora proper applicationof the adhesive tape 2 0'at'0th'e boxes or'cartona'the tape must be severed so that portions thereof will extend some 'dist'anoe beyond the end or ends of cartons and thesefre'eportions must be depressed or moved portions into adhesive connection with the bottoms of the'cartons, and timedwith relation to the movement'ofthe cuttingmechanism, will now be described.

It will be seen, according toFiguresB and 8,

that as the carton B: passes the cutter blade '42, said carton is still in contact with the underside of a'cam 1ifter'43, which-is a device shaped somewhat like'a shoe and having the upturnedcam end portion 44. 'The purpose of the upturned end 44 of the cam lifter 43 is to enable the cartons ---to' engagesaid portion-and lift'the part 43'bodily. Said "lifter 43 is carried by'a-standard45, see

Figures 12"and'8, which-standard is secured between-the sides ofthe cutter 'framefie. There- "fore; when the-carton engages the cam end M of a thelifte1"fi3,the lifter 'Will becomeelevated" and raise the'bladedz and the cutter franie' sufiioiently "for the blade to be above'the path of movement of the adhesive tapeZOa. The lifterB 'isdispla'ced laterally short distance from the-blade 42, being therefore out "of the path or line of movement of -the tape soas to not interferewith the latter.

Bearing in mind, therefore, that so long as the lifter 43 is upheld by the carton 'B, for

example; passing beneath the same, the cutter "-blade-is'inactive; it will be seen from Figures 3 "-a;nd"8 that when the carton B- passes' from beheath the lifter 43' the lifter is permitted *to drop *and thisperni'its' the dropping of the cutterblade "42"'which thereby severs'the'tape 25a. But the "parts-are 'so iposition'ed'that the bladefi does not"sever the'tape ZfiaFu'ntil there is a considerforth in conjunction With'Figures-B aud t). "The "t iefi th qf ta e-screened bt ween the cartons and C that are progressing '''through 'a'nd into the cutting mechanism "Thus the blade '94; is urdpp'ee 'at a tiirie si-ich that two freeends of the '-"orti'on"-'df the '=-tap'e at opposite sides "of the severance point are rennan inthe cutting action. e two free portions of the 'tape mut'noW'be orpusheddowiitvardiy to-enga'ge them with e endsof theaiijacent c'art'ons' B and"C,-andl-f0r this "hufposethere are provided two "pushingdevices, seen best in Figure 8. One of these devic'es f' 5 i$- pivotd tO tlie fia me at "add is "lfii'oillflii-ld ith a downwardly extending pusher 'memberQ-B.

' inally" -themerhber tfi*is'rnaintained i-n-its upes'" e by aw-expansion spring 89. i 50"o fistands 5 from the member 45 adjacent rhernber 48 -and is in the anadju'stabiescrew emituettingmember-5 1 ed by the (Hitter fra'r ne 39, previously =refe d" to Thesam frame 39 carries 'a secondoeo aotu minber 53 --ca'pab1e *of engaging an haft 55. -Thecrank 55- carriesenother i ber 5? --whioh is "normally heldfup- "through" a "slot amen is T formed in l the pressure f late 35 Thearr'ange1nent--'of'theparts-B and is uoh t-hat when the- Gutter frame 39 drops ie cutting blade fi the aotuatingrnembers rid 53 will engage the'parts efl and fi lfre- I hd 'oa'u'se downward movement "of the 'ers'? comm-t1. 'Il'1e-meInber -48-by 1nove'rn'ent-i-n'- an arcuate -path-"apwar d free severed portionof the tape j-acent ei---r'ear-=eed of the boxBfiand 5 he haernb'er fl rnovi-ng downwardly -app1ies=- the 3 rearwam seveted rree portion *of the tape to the fr'o'nt of the boxoncartonC,asthese' cartons *a'ie being F-adva nced *in the regular progressive movement of the 'ctiainsW.

'P'ne foreg'eing operation" takes place instantly vfiith the euttiiigof the tape and under the-"conhe cutting mechanism.

rough" the machine, the tape i c t its-' fron't'end has beenadhesively applied to said "en arid the-underside 'of the cartonad-jacenh -tlireto; g

' Thenext thingstobe' described are the means for 'appl'ying the free depending severed ends or the -ta pe whichhave now been-adhesivelyconti'on of progress 'ofthe cartons Or pacKa'gesunder the-aotion'of the feed chains-4 andlugs'i -is'"'to"the right hand. Atone side er the machine there is" the trip arm fiil whichis located, as'shown in Figure 'l3,"to swing in a horizontal planeab'ove fltne ar the-feed chains 4. "The-arm*60 is carried by a vertical shaft"'="6 I I on the lower portion of which is mounted the arm62' connected-bye. pull rod 83- and universal joint li4 with a cross' bar lever ge'nerally indi'catedf at'-6'l. The bell crank lever fi'l has as" its axis the crossshaft -68,"-as clearly show n in 5 Figure 11 14. 'The ends" of the erase shaft 68 ane nio'unted "within brackets 69 ise'd by' aicoil'sp'ring 5ttconnected-with-a-port1on 25 3fi on the fraineA, or an adjacent supportedpart. -The pus-her *mrnber -51 operates downwardly other convenient portion of the frame of the machine. The bell crank 61 comprises the arms l8 provided with slots 'l'I adapted to engage stud shafts 12 extending from a brush lifting or carrying unit I3 which is pivotally mounted to the chain guides 8, as clearly shown at 14 in Figure 14. It will therefore be seen that by actuating the bell crank 87 the brush lifting or carrying unit may be raised or lowered around its pivot point 14 for purposes as will be hereinafter described.

In view of the fact that the raising and lowering of the brush lifting unit have to be timed in such a way that a proper operation of the device is obtained no matter what size cartons are to be sealed by the machine, it has been found advantageous to control the raising and lowering operations of the brush lifting unit by means of the abutment members on the chains 4 which engage the cartons and move the same in proper spaced relation through the machine.

It is mentioned at this point that the abutment members on the chain 4, which are indicated by the numeral 5, are adjustable and may be arranged in closer and farther apart relationship, depending upon the size of the cartons to be handled by the machine. The abutment members are upward extensions and are of a linklike configuration equal in size to the other link members of the chains 4. It will therefore be seen that the abutments 5 may be disconnected from the other link members of the chain and inter- Dosed between other link members of the chain at distances depending upon the length of the cartons handled by the machine. In this manner the distance between the cartons may be varied to suit various conditions, and for this very reason it has been found advantageous to interconnect the brush lifting and carrying mechanism, and also the brush operating mechanism, with the abutment members on the chain, so that a proper timing of the mechanism may be facilitated in a simple manner and whereby a change in the distance between the abutment members does not necessitate a change in the timing of the machine, because the latter is at all times dependent upon the position of the abutment'members of the chain and a proper timing relation is at all times maintained no matter how far apart the abutment members are spaced. The lever 68 is therefore positioned in such a manner, with respect to one of the chains 4, that it will always be in the path of the abutment members 5.

,Referring now to Figure 15, it will be seen that the chain guide 8 is of substantially U configura- 1 of the arm 82, and obviously rod 65 will be pushed in the direction shown by the arrow 88 in Figure 13. This will cause a rocking of the bell crank 8i, and the brush lifting unit I3 will be raised in-= a manner obvious from Figure 13. At the same time the brush lifting unit I3 is raised, an abutment member 5 mounted on the other chain of: the machine will engage arm 8| mounted on one ,of 1the-chain guides 8 opposite the arm 68,

and, in view of the fact that arm 8| is connected to a shaft 82 and arm 83, the latter will be moved in the direction indicated by arrow 8|. The arm 83 is connected by a push rod 85 to a depending arm 86 which is riveted or welded to a shaft 81 mounted below the chain guides 8 within the frame of the machine in any convenient manner. Interposed between the push rod 85 and arm 86 is a universal joint 88.

It will be seen that the movement of arm 83 in the manner described will cause a corresponding movement of push rod 85, and the depending arm 88 will move in the direction indicated by arrow 89 in Figure 14, causing rotation of the shaft 8! in a counter-clockwise direction. Spaced from the arm SI and also mounted to one of the chain guides 8 is an arm 98 connected to a shaft 8! and an arm 92. The arm 92 is also connected by means of a push rod 93 to the depending arm 86, as will be clearly seen from Figures 13 and 14. The movement of arm 85, referred to hereinabove, will exert a push on the rod 93, causing arm 98 to move from its full line position of Figure 13 to its dotted line position. It will therefore be seen that when the abutment member 5, which operates arm 8|, causes the movement of the latter from its full line to its dotted line position, arm 98 will at the same time move from its full line to its dotted line position.

Movement of the depending arm 86 in the direction indicated by arrow 88 and the counterclockwise rotation of shaft 87, as previously described, will cause similar movement of another depending arm 84 riveted or welded to shaft 81, and, in view of the fact that arm 84 is connected by means of a universal joint 95 and a rod 96 to a downwardly extending arm or bracket 91 which is connected to a pinion frame 98, said pinion frame 98 will be moved in a direction as shown by the arrow 99 in Figure 14.

The brush lifting or carrying unit I3 is provided at its bottom portion with gear racks I88, one rack being located at each side within the frame structure of the member I3. A sliding brush carrier I8I is arranged within the brush lifting unit I3 and is provided with gear racks I82 extending downwardly therefrom and located directly above the gear racks I88, previously referred to. A plurality of pinions I83 is arranged within the pinion carrier 98, three pinions being positioned at each side of the pinion frame or carrier 98, and these pinions are in engagement with their respective gear racks I88 and I82.

When the member 91 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow I84 during the operation previously referred to herein, the pinion carrier 98 and the pinions I83 are moved in the same direction. In view of the fact that the gear racks I88 are stationary while the gear racks I02 and the sliding brush carrier I8I are movably mounted within the unit I3, the sliding brush carrier will be moved in the direction of arrow 99 in Figure 14 at a considerably higher speed than the package traveling through the machine. Mounted on the sliding brush carrier I8I is a brush I85 which of course will perform the same motion as the sliding brush carrier I8I.

It will be seen, therefore, that after the free ends of the tape 28a have been pushed down by instrumentalities referred to previously, and are in the position shown in Figure 14, the abutment members 5 on each chain, which are in front of the arms 58 and BI, will cause operation of the instrumentalities referred to above, and the unit I3 will thereby be raised and the brush I85 The abuti'n Vt member 5' which operated arm 8!. has. sweet ned. the position indicated in 10 dotted lines atfj, and, inview. of the fact. that armflilisnow inits dottedline position because thefarmshl;ahdQllare interconnected in such a mannerTasto move'toward. and away from'each other, arm 9!! will nowbe'movedfrom its dotted 15 line positionto itsfull line position in Figure 13.

' will cause a. return stroke of the sliding brush carrier. Hill and brush Hi5, and, since the frontfendof the carton Cis now in the path of movement of brush I95, the downwardly extendmg tape 20a at thev front end of cartonC will, in a similar manner, be pressed against the bottom portion of cartqn C and will thereby be adhesively appliedv thereto. 'The arm 68 has now reached its dottedline position shownin Figure 13, and the abutment member 5 will pass by arm 50 and the'latt'er will immediately swing back to its full lineposition inview of the weight of the unit 13 resting o the bell cranl; 61. The brush lifting unit 13"istherebyfimmediately lowered, and the 3 cycle of, the apparatus illustrated in Figures 13 and; 19p will now repeat to adhesively apply the downwardly extending tape portion to therear endof thecartcnC and to the front end of the nest followingcarton.

The arms 8 andQjloperate through slots in one of the chain guides S, similarly to the manner described with reference to the arm 60, the arrangement being clearly shown in Figure 15.

It. should be understood that during the operation of the mechanism described in Figures 13 and 14] the cartons continue their travel forward by'rea son of 't heir engagement with the abutment'rnembers or lugs 5 on the chains 4.

'Theframe A of the machine is equipped with longitudinal guides I86 which consist of angle plates."'l h'e'se guides cooperate with the chain guides'S tohold each carton o'r'box as the same is carried "frornthe'bottom of the'hop'per means 9 and-g lt: onwar'dfto: thevarious mechanisms of the'machine by which the paper tape 2 9a is applied. The guides H36 are adjustable by means of'the provision 'ofadius'ting plates I01 which are secured tdc'ross members Hi8 of the frame structure; The adjusting members 'lillconsist of L-sha'pedplate's, the base portions of which am attached to the members H18 by bolt and thumb nut means M9- passing through slots H0 in the base portions ofthe members I01.

The means for driving'the feed chain as shown in the drawings '(Figure 1) may include a drive fisproclet' chain HI connected' wi'th 'a driven sprocket l l 2mounted on shaft I I3 which carries alsoftlie sprockets 6 which impart motion to chains The chain IH may be driven'from a suitable motor H4 supported in a frame H5 at the middle portion ofthe machine beneath the uppermost pcrtloncfjthe main frame A.

An additional guide or presssure member Hi5 which isadjustable by means of instruinentalities' HT similar to thoseshown in Figure '7 is provided at the left-hand end'of the machine, as

shown, in Figure 1, An upright member H3. at.

th 'ejleif t, end of. the. frame A, see Figural, carries an adj ustable roller H9, which cooperates with 1t a are. a ;z.q;mon r r a mimetional pressure tothe tape atthe top and bottom portions of the carton to assure'lproper adhesiye engagement between the tape and the carton" which now reaches the machine and may be transferred upon anysuitable conveyor structure or the like leading to a place where the sealed cartons are to be stored.

At l2 i 'there isjshownfa fuse box whichis connected withla source of electrical powerbymeans cable I22, while the motor Hg is connected over the, fuse box I2! with power line by means of cablel 23.

The sprocket gears 5. which are secured to a shaft lgt for rotationwith the same andwhich cngagethe chains r, are adjustable by means of instrumentalities indicated at l 25. 'The operation of these instrumentalitieswill be obvious frolm Figure 1 rotation of the crank !26 and gear I21 causing mcvement, of the. bearing member I218 toward n11 away from the center. of. the machine to thereby permit the adjustment of the tension of thejchains 4.. a

"Theflporticnslll of p the member 3. are partially cutaway to prevent their interference with arms so, at, and 9c.

The supporting rod I29, as shownin Figure 12, slides within the opening and is adapted to lim" only the douwnwardmovement. of the blade. biimeal s ofanfadjustable nut ISL 'Aslwiill be'seen from Figure 8, member 46 is returned to its full'line position bythe pressure of spring 45., while member 5.5"is returned'to its full line position by the spring 55.. and the for-r ward motion'oi package C pushing against porfme V Having thus described my. invention, what I. claim as new anddesire to secure by'lletters Pat' ent of the United States, is.

1. In amachine of the class described, in combination, carton feeding mechanism, an adhesive tape/supply mechanism, moistening mechanism for, the'adhesive sideof said tape, pressing mech ani'sm for. pressing. the tape when. moistened against the top portion of the. carton as itpa'ssesf the pressing mechanism; cutting mechanism fo 'rj severing thetapefsom'e distance from the end "of thecartonafter it has been applied to the topj'of the' carton, a pushing'devicefformoving the. free severed ends of'th'e tape downward to applyit' to the end of the c'a'rtoh'during movement 'of. the. latter, and means cooperating with said fregend of the tape after it isa'pplied to the endof the" cartonfor pressingjthe same in adhesive contact with the'undeliside or. they carto 2; am cn ne' asset forth in claim 1, combined. with means cehneeengo e of, the applicator. de' vicesv with the. cutting. mechanism. for, operation y a se 3,. A machineas set forth in claim 1, wherein the pushing means for. applying thetape to the end offthej cairtonis' 'ope'rably connected to the cutting mecnanis ror' actuatio'nfthercb tQ- gether'with means connecting the feeding mech} anism rortne'cartons with the means which applies. the tape tothe'bot'tom ofthe carton for actuation crime latter means.

4;. Inamachme'offthe class described, in comi ie' e it? m v n ts'upporeng and. feeding means'for cartonsto cause movem'ene'bf;

the. latter progressively through the machi'n hesive. tape siipplyjmeansf moistening' mea s for thdadhsivefidebf. the tape supplied fro'm'th'e supply ineans deyicesf carried by the feeding means. for" moving, cartons through the machine mistress; h i's j ear f r a p h 9 hesive tape to the top portions of the cartons during their progressive movement through the machine and while said cartons are spaced, outter mechanism for severing the tape extending between the cartons, at a point intermediate said cartons, whereby to leave the severed ends of the tape free, and devices for moving the severed ends of the tape against the adjacent ends and bottoms of the cartons for afiixing the tape to two cartons at said ends and bottoms.

5. A machine substantially as claimed in claim 4, wherein the devices which apply the tape at the ends of the cartons are operably connected for actuation by the cutter mechanism and wherein the devices for applying the severed ends of the tape to the bottom of the cartons are operable by the feed mechanism for the cartons.

6. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding cartons along said frame while said cartons are disposed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applying instrumentalities for pressing moistened adhesive tape against the top portions of two spaced cartons to affix the said tape to said spaced cartons with the tape extending from one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, and instrumentalities for sequentially applying the severed ends of the tape to the ends of the cartons and bottom portions of the cartons after the severing action of the cutting mechanism takes place.

7. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding cartons along said frame while said cartons are disposed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applying instrumentalities for pressing moistened adhesive tape against the top portions of two spaced cartons to afiix the said tape to said spaced cartons with the tape extending from one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, instrumentalities for sequentially applying the severed ends of the tape to the ends of the cartons and bottom portions of the cartons after the severing action of the cutting mechanism takes place, said instrumentalities comprising pushing members for pushing the severed ends of the tape downwardly between the cartons with which said ends are to be connected, and connections between said pushing members and the cutting mechanism to synchronize the movements of these parts.

8. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding cartons along said frame while said cartons are dis posed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applying instrumentalities for pressing moistened adhesive tape against the top portions of two spaced cartons to affix the said tape to said spaced cartons with the tape extending from one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, instrumentalities for sequentially applying the severed ends of the tape to the ends of the cartons and bottom portions of the cartons after the severing action of the cutting mechanism takes place, said instrumentalities comprising pushing members for pushing the severed ends of the tape downwardly between the cartons with which said ends are to be connected, and connections between said pushing members and the cutting mechanism to synchronize the movements of these parts, said instrumentalities also comprising an applicator desubsequent to severing action and to press said severed ends into close adhesive contact with the bottom portions of the cartons.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding car tons along said frame while said cartons are disposed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applying instrumentalities for pressing moistened adhesive tape against the top portions of two spaced cartons to afiix the said tape to said spaced cartons with the tape extending from one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, instrumentalities for sequentially applying the severed ends of the tape to the ends of the cartons and bottom portions of the cartons after the severing action of the cutting mechanism takes place, said instrumentalities comprising pushing members for pushing the severed ends of the tape downwardly between the cartons with which said ends are to be connected, and connections between said pushing members and the cutting mechanism to synchronize the movements of these parts, said instrumentalities also comprising an applicator device operable to engage the severed ends of the tape after they have been pushed downwardly subsequent to severing action and to press said severed ends into close adhesive contact with the bottom portions of the cartons, and means for actuating the last mentioned applicator device to impart thereto a quick movement in the direction of movement of the cartons for acting upon one of the severed ends of the tape, and for imparting a reverse movement thereto for acting upon the other severed end of the tape.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the applicator device is operable from the feed means.

11. In a machine of the class described, in combination, carton feeding mechanism, adhesive tape supply mechanism, means for pressing the moistened adhesive tape into contact with the upper side of a carton fed forward by the feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point spaced from the end of a carton so as to leave a free end of the tape beyond the end of the carton, and instrumentalities for engagin said free end of the tape after severing to fold it around the end of the carton in adhesive contact with the end and in contact with the bottom of the carton.

12. In a machine of the class described, in combination, carton feeding mechanism, adhesive tape supply mechanism, means for pressing the moistened adhesive tape into contact with the upper side of a carton fedforward by the feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point spaced from the end of a carton so as to leave a free end of the tape beyond the end of the carton, and instrumentalities for engaging said free end of the tape after severing to fold it around the end of the carton in adhesive contact with the end and in contact with the bottom of the carton, said instrumentalities including parts operated by the cutting mechanism to move the free severed end of the tape past and against the end of the carton, together with other parts operable sequentially to the action of the severing means to apply the tape to the bottom of the carton after it has been applied to the end of the carton.

13. In a machine of the class described, in combination, horizontal carton feeding mechanism, adhesive tape supply and moistening mechanisms, the said feeding mechanism comprising parts to move cartons progressively through the 3 mechanismtosever. the adhesive tape after it is applieditoltwo of the cartons, the severing taking place. at a point intermediate the cartons and; thereby. leaving free end portions of the tape pro-.

severedl ends of the tape downwardly to. apply:

them toxtheends of the cartons, and'o-ther mechanismforiengagingthe free end portions of: the

tape extending below the ends of the cartons and wiping said ends into close contact with. the

undersides of adjacent. cartons as described.

l4. Almachine as claimedin claim.l3,.in which.

the last: mentioned other mechanism includes an applicator member normally below the plane of 20,-,th'e. undersides of the cartons, and means. for

raising said applicator member and imparting forward and return movements to the same, the

forward" movement being in the .direction. of

movement of the cartons under the action oithe feeding mechanism.

15. In a carton sealing machine, adhesive tape feeding control mechanism, carton feeding mechanism including feed chains having adjustable abutmentsLcarried thereby'to engage cartons and feed the same through thetmachine, cutting mechanism for the adhesive tape, operating means for the cutting mechanism including a.

shoe with which each carton may engage for imparting actuating movement thereto and to the connected cutting mechanism, and applicator mechanism for applying portions of the. adhesive tape to certain portions: of the carton, together with operating means for said applicator mechanism'adapted to be operated by the adjustable abutments on the feed chains.

16. In a carton sealing machine, in combination, a main frame, supporting means thereon to supply a carton or cartons, adhesive tape supply means and an adhesive tape fed therefrom, moistening means for moistening the adhesive side of the tape, pressing devices for pressing the moistened adhesive side of the tape against the upper portions of a carton as the cartons progress through the machine, cutting mechanism for severing the tape some distance from the end of said carton, applicator devices for pushing the free severed end of the tape against the end of a carton subsequent to the severing action of the cutting mechanism, means for feeding the cartons forward through the machine to the tape supply, moistening, and cutting mechanisms aforesaid, and appliances on the applicator devices for applying the said free end of the tape to the bottom portion'of the carton after it has been applied to the end portion aforesaid.

17. In a carton sealing machine of the class described, mechanism for feeding cartons through the machine, mechanism for applying adhesive tape in sealing engagement with a carton, tape cutting mechanism, means operable by the movement of said carton to actuate the cutting mechanism, applicator devices for applying portions of the tape to the end portion of the carton after the cutting action of the cutting mechanism thereon, applicator means engaging the free end of the tape for applying the same to the bottom portion of the carton, and adjustable means connected with the feeding mechanism comprising abutments detachable and adjustable in relation to thewfeeding; mechanism to engage with cartons: for movingxthe same through-the machine.

1.8.; In a machineof the class described, in combination,,a main frame, means for feeding: cartons alongsaid frame-while said cartons are, dis posed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applying instrumentalities for pressing, moistened adhesive tape-against the, top: portions of two'spaced cal,- tonsto afiixthe said tape to said spaced cartons with the tape extending from: one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, means for applying the tapetothe end portions of the cartons, and an applicator device for applying the free. ends'of thetape to the bottoms of: thecartons. comprising a pivotally mounted frame, a brush, means for shifting said brush, and instrumentalitiesfor moving said frame and. brush into operative position.

19. A. package sealing machine comprising, in combination, tape applying means for. adheslvelyapplying tape to the top portion of' a; carton, means for: applying the adhesive tape'to the end portions, of the carton, a brush,.normally in inoperative position, instriunentalities for moving. said brush into operative position; with respect to; thecarton and tape, and means for shifting said, brush for app-lying the tape to the bottom'portions of the carton.

i 20. A package sealing machine of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding cartons to .be. sealed along said frame in one direction and spacedwithrespect to each other, instrumentalitiesfor applying adhesive tape to the top'portions of the. cartons, means for severing said adhesive tape intermediate said cartons, instrumentalities for portions of the'tape adjacent one of said side I portions to the bottom portions off said cartons, said tape applying means being reversely movable in timed relation to the movement of the cartons and in an opposite direction to such movement for applying portions of said tape adjacent another of the side portions to the bottom portions of said cartons.

21. In a machine of the class described, in combination, carton feeding mechanism, an adhesive tape supply mechanism, moistening mechanism for the adhesive side of said tape, pressing mechanism for pressing the tape when moistened against the top portion of the carton as it passes the pressing mechanism, cutting mechanism for severing the tape some distance from the end of the carton after it has been applied to the top of the carton, a pushing device for moving the. free severed ends of the tape downward to apply it to the end of the carton during movement of the latter, and means cooperating with said free end ofthe tape after it is applied to the end of thecarton for pressing the same in adhesive contactwith the underside of the carton, said means including a movable member, a brush on said member, means for moving said member and brush into operative position, and instrumentalities for moving said brush with respect to said'movable member.

22. A machine of the character described;

operable in the direction of movement of the cartons but at a greater speed to apply a portion of the tape to the bottom portion of a carton and reversely movable in timed relation to the movement of the cartons and in an opposite direction to such movement to apply another portion of the tape to the bottom portion of a carton.

23. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, a main frame, means for moving cartons along said frame, means for applying tape to the top and side portions of the cartons, and tape applying operable in the direction of movement of the cartons but at a greater speed to apply a portion of the tape to the bottom portion of a carton and reversely movable in timed relation to the movement of the cartons and in an opposite direction to such movement to apply another portion of the tape to the bottom portion of a carton, said tape applying instrumentalities com prising a movable frame pivotally mounted on said main frame, an applicator brush, a'carrier member movably carrying said brush within said movable frame, means for shifting said brush and carrier member with respect to the main frame, and instrumentalities for raising and lowering said movable frame into operative and inoperative positions.

24. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding cartons along said frame while said cartons are disposed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applyinginstrumentalities for pressing moistened adhesive tape against the top portions of two spaced cartons to affix the said tape to said spaced oartons with the tape extending from one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, instrumentalities for sequentially applying the severed ends instrumentalities of the tape to the ends of the cartons after the severing action of the cutting mechanism takes place, said instrumentalities comprising pushing members for pushing the severed ends of the tape downwardly between adjacent cartons, and means for applying the free ends of said tape after they have been pushed downwardly to press said end into adhesive contact with the bottom portions of adjacent cartons.

25. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a main frame, means for feeding cartons along saidframe while said cartons are disposed in spaced relation, adhesive tape applyinginstrumentalitiesfor pressing moistened adhesive tape against the top portions of two spaced cartons to affix the said tape to said spaced cartons with the tape extending from one to the other, cutting mechanism for severing the tape at a point intermediate the cartons, instrumentalities for sequentially applying the severed ends of the tape to the ends of the cartons after the severing action of the cutting mechanism takes place, said instrumentalities comprising pushing members for pushing the severed ends of the tape downwardly between adjacent cartons, means for applying the free ends of said tape after they have been pushed downwardly topress said end into adhesive contact with the bottom portions of adjacent cartons, and instrumentalities for actuating said last mentioned means to impart thereto a quick movement in the direction of movement of the cartons for acting uponrone of the severed ends of the tape of one of adjacent cartons, and for imparting a reverse movement thereto for acting upon the other severed end of the tape of the other of adjacent cartons.

HARRY W. DYMENT. 

